Multiple unit container



J y 1950 w. H. HARRISON 2,514,573

MULTIPLE UNIT CONTAINER Filed Feb. 17, 1947 W11/4MAQ22251 M92k/504 Enventor I Qttorneg Patented July 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to multiple unit containers, and more particularly to such containers adapted to contain articles which are normally provided in sets, such as photographic filters, and th like.

It is a major object of my invention to provide a multiple unit container of the class described which is comprised of a plurality of identical sections so as to make possible the assembling of multiple unit containers having any desired number of compartments.

It is another object of my invent on toprovide a container of the class described in which it is possible to open any one of several compartments while leaving the balance of the compartments closed.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a container for a relatively flat discshaped object, or a plurality of small objects such as nuts, washers, etc., which container is compactly arranged so as not to enclose any waste space.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the attached drawings.

Briefly, the container embodying my invention is comprised of a number of integral, generally circular sections, each section including a boxlike member having a telescoping cover secured to its under surface. While the presently illustrated container is of circular cross-section, the invention is obviousl not limited to such, but may be applied with equal effect to square, rectangular or other shaped containers. The arrangement of the sections is such that when they are secured one above the other, each box portion is closed by the cover integrally attached to the next uppermost section. Furthermore, any multiple container assembled from the sections just described includes a separate top for the uppermost of the sections and a separate box to be engaged with the lowermost cover portion. Cooperative means are provided in the boxes and covers whereby they are removably secured to gether when the container is assembled.

For a more detailed description of a multiple unit container embodying my invention, reference should now be had to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a. perspective view of a container embodying my invention with the uppermost lid separated therefrom;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the container shown in Figure l with the lid removed;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one section of the container illustrated in Figure 1 with a quadrant shaped section cut away to show the method of assembly thereof; and,

Figure 4 is an elevational section taken on the line 4-4 in Figure l but with the lowermost box portion separated from the container.

Referring first to Figure 3, it will be seen that each of the sections iii of the container includes a box portion 7 having an upstanding cylindrical wall a flat circular bottom 9 and an extending knurled flange l3. Secured to the under surface of the bottom 9 of the box, is a lid portion I l which is formed with a flat circular top 8 and a depending cylindrical wall 6. As is best seen in Figure 3, the box and lid portions of the section It are secured together with the top 8 of the lid ll against the under surface of the bottom 9 of the box 1. Various attachment means may be I used. to secure the two portions of the sections together and in the present illustration I have shown spot welds 56 for this purpose.

The container of my invention may be fabricated from various materials such as metals; thermo-setting Or thermo-plastic resins, and the like. The presently illustrated embodiment is made of aluminum, a particularly suitable material.

The diameter of the knurled flange I3 is slight- 1y larger than the outer diameter of the lid H in order that the sections may be readily grasped in the fingers for the purpose of assembling or disassembling them.

As is most readily seen in Figure 4, the external diameter of the box wall [2 is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the lid wall 6. Thus, each lid H is adapted to slide over any box 12 forming a substantially dust-tight seal. In order to further secure the lids and boxes together, I have formed these members with cooperative securing means comprising a pair of diametrically opposed indentations in the lid which produce a pair of detent lugs IE on the inner surface of the lid adapted to enter a pair of helical-shaped grooves [4 formed in the upstanding wall I2 of the box. Thus if any lid is placed on any box and rotated clockwise with respect thereto, the lugs i5 enter the slots 14, engage the same in screw thread fashion and force the lid downwardly onto the box, bringing the lower edge of the cylindrical wall 6 of the lid in tight contact with the flange i3, and adding to the effectiveness of the seal.

When the desired number of sections have been assembled in the manner just described,

a separate lid H is used to enclose the uppermost section, and a separate box 1 is secured into the lowermost lid.

Thus it will be seen that the multiple container assembled from the sections according to my invention is such that each and every one of the compartments therein is independently accessible while leaving the others closed. Access to any compartment is obtained by grasping the flange l3 immediately below such compartment and unscrewing the lid portion immediately thereabove. It should be noted further that the contents of each compartment may be identified by markings placed on the cylindrical wall of the lid enclosing the same. Such marking is indicated by the numeral 11 in Figure 1.

While the container shown and described herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be regarded as merely illustrative of a presently preferred form. Since many modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the invention, I do not mean to be limited to the form shown,but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A multiple compartment container comprising: a plurality of substantially identical boxes having fiat circular bottoms and upstanding walls; a plurality of substantially identical lids having fiat circular tops and depending walls adapted for telescoping closure over said box walls, said depending walls at least as great in height as said box walls whereby to completely cover said box Walls the relative internal and external diameters of said lid and box walls respectively being substantially identical to provide a snug telescoping fit between any box and lid requiring relative twisting motion to release, and said bottom being slightly greater in diameter than said lid Walls whereby to provide a flange on each section for applying said twisting motion; and all but one of said boxes and one of said lids being permanently secured together in pairs comprising a box superimposed onalid.

2. A multiple compartment container comprising: a plurality of substantially identical superimposed sections, each having a pair of fiat circular bases permanently secured together in face-to-face coaxial superposition, the upper of said bases being greater in diameter than the lower base and knurled on its periphery, a depending cylindrical wall formed in said lower base substantially at its periphery, an upstanding cylindrical wall formed in said upper base spaced inwardly from said knurled periphery by an amount at least equal to the thickness of said depending wall for telescoping engagement thereof with one of said dependent Walls, the inside diameter of said depending wall being 'suiiiciently close to the outside diameter of said upstanding wall as to require relative twisting of said walls to manually separate the same from said telescoping engagement, said walls being substantially equal in height whereby said depending wall completely covers said upstanding wall when telescoped as aforesaid; a telescoping cap having a circular top and a depending cylindrical wall of suiiicient height and internal diameter to snugly and completely cover the uppermost upstanding wall of said sections; and a box having a, circular and peripherally knurled base substantially identical to said lower section bases and an upstanding cylindrical wall of sufficient diameter to snugly telescope within the lowermost of said depending walls.

WILLIAM HARTLEY HARRISON.

REFERENCES CITED l he following references are of record in. the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 372,337 Simon Nov. 1, 1887 1,251,028 Hellman Dec. 25, 1917 1,552,997 Marczak Sept. 8, 1925 2,328,246 Albion Aug. 31, 1943 2,452,969 Victor Nov. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 599,808 France Jan. 21, .1926 

